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There’s a selfish element to writing Interruptions, as I enjoy writing this blog. But there’s another reason, found in 1 Peter 3:15 …
Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect (NASB).
The Greek for “defense” is “apologia,” and this word has two definitions: a common meaning in English indicates that we “apologize” for doing something wrong; but in the Bible, the word “apologia” found in 1 Peter 3:15 (and in other verses in the New Testament) means defending what we believe.
Paul writes in Philippians 1:16: “knowing that I am appointed for the defense [apologize] of the gospel.”
In English, “apology” has a negative connotation, but in Scripture, it’s positive. In our culture, we apologize for doing something wrong; in New Testament times, they apologized for doing something right — giving a reasoned explanation for faith-filled actions and beliefs.
I hope you get the drift — in the Bible, it’s a positive and not a negative word. Christians should be masters of apologetics as they steadfastly promote, guard, and tell the truth of the Bible.
Apologetics is good, and why I write Interruptions.
Apologetics (going scholastic now) can be defined as “a philosophical defense of theistic trinitarian faith.” Areas of study in Christian apologetics would be…
- Defending the accuracy and integrity of the Bible
- Defending the existence of God
- Giving philosophical, archaeological, and prophetic evidence for the reliability of Scripture
- Discussing why faith is reasonable and in line with rational definitions of science
- Explaining biblical viewpoints on cultural topics, which would include politics, justice, sexual ethics, and immigration
The foundation of Christian apologetics is humility: when we speak our ideas, thoughts, and opinions, we present reasonable evidence for our faith while being open to discussion, comments, challenges, and opposing viewpoints.
We defend without becoming defensive!
As a guide for conversations in apologetics, politics, and everything else, Paul writes: “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).
HHHHMMMHHM! Now we get into problems.
Many of us, considering our thoughts straight from the omniscience of God, don’t handle differing opinions well; we are right, and they are wrong. Our conversations now deteriorate into what the Bible describes as “foolish and ignorant speculations [arguments] that produce quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:23).
When Christians talk politics, Bible doctrine, liberal vs. conservative theology, immigration, Donald Trump, and the right-wing or left-wing media elite, we too often depart from being “Biblically apologetic” to becoming rude, argumentative, angry, forsaking the Spirit of peace, while mouth-speaking dogmas of narrow-mindedness.
And … I really tried to use my own advice of speaking the truth with love as I wrote the above paragraph. For those I have offended, I apologize!